"The # symbol, called a hashtag, is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages" - Source
IMAGINE
Imagine if you could be updated with all the latest happenings at IMU conveniently from one unified (Twitter) stream of messages. Imagine you want to share something interesting with the IMU community (both staff and students) without any hassles and barriers. Better yet, imagine you want to share your great idea(s) with IMU, but you are too lazy to do it formally.
Welcome to the #IMUshare, the Twitter hashtag (not case sensitive) that ASPIRES to empower you to share interesting ideas, events, resources and conversations with the IMU Learning community.
If you are clueless with what a Twitter #hashtag is, please watch this video tutorial first:
HOW DO I SHARE/PARTICIPATE?
It is really simple, as long as you are using Twitter. How? Simply tweet anything you want to share with the IMU community, and include the #IMUshare (or #imushare... not case sensitive!) hashtag somewhere in the tweet. That's it!
HOW DO I FOLLOW #IMUSHARE?
If you notice, the latest #IMUshare tweets are now shown on IMU E-Learning portal homepage (using a widget). Though, I am sure you would like to follow this hashtag from your Twitter account (or mobile app), too. There are several ways to do it, but if you want to simply follow (save) the hashtag from Twitter itself, you can:
- Copy/Paste the hashtag into Twitter Search (Or simply click the hashtag on your Twitter page) and then Search.
- Then click Save this Search.
- Click Home.
- Select the hashtag from your Searches... Done!
HOW DO I ADD #IMUSHARE WIDGET TO MY BLOG/SITE?
Click here and follow instructions. Remember to add #IMUShare to the Search Query. When you are finished adding and customizing your Twitter widget, grab the code and embed it on your blog/site.
This is how it really looks like (the real thing!):
Yes, you can customize the Twitter widget, especially the colors, title text, width, length and so on.
HOW DO I GET LIVE UPDATES STREAMING DOWN?
Tools like Monitter, TweetGrid and TweetChat are awesome for exactly that. For example, you might want real-time Twitter updates during an event, or learning session on a big screen (or projector), meaning you can reflect and discuss on the spot issues streaming down the screen (no refreshing needed!).
HOW DO I CREATE MY OWN HASHTAG?
That is so easy! Just remember to keep it unique, short and simple, because we only have 140 characters to make a point, and we certainly don't want the hashtag itself to take up too many characters.
Also, try to avoid commonly and widely used terms like '#elearning', because then you're learning stream could be diluted and overwhelmed with too many non-related tweets. For example, the 'Connectivism and Connective Knowledge 2011' hashtag is shortened to #CCK11.
So, say that you want to have a Twitter stream dedicated to Medicine at IMU, why not call it #imumed? Unique, short and simple. Done!
Also, try to avoid commonly and widely used terms like '#elearning', because then you're learning stream could be diluted and overwhelmed with too many non-related tweets. For example, the 'Connectivism and Connective Knowledge 2011' hashtag is shortened to #CCK11.
So, say that you want to have a Twitter stream dedicated to Medicine at IMU, why not call it #imumed? Unique, short and simple. Done!
MORE?
Finally, if you want to know more about using Twitter for learning and teaching, start here:
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1 comment:
I really liked this post, very helpful - thank you!
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